Acutec Precision Aerospace Inc.
receiving dock that were made by other suppliers."
Smith ultimately told Lord that Acutec could provide the same parts without any problems. Lord began using
Acutec, which worked hard to meet all
of its needs.
"In summary, luck put desirable
new business in Acutec's path, we recognized an opportunity for which we
were prepared and we seized it," the
company says, noting that it tripled its
size in two years. "More than 20 years
later, Lord remains one of Acutec's
largest customers, only now annual
sales to Lord are five times higher."
Wise Investments
Another example of Acutec's luck was
when it purchased a portion of a former
American Viscose plant in Meadville.
"A local organization, the Economic
Progress Alliance, turned Meadville's
loss into a competitive advantage for
the community, developing innovative
low-cost manufacturing space for light
industry and offices," Acutec says.
The company bought 225,000 square
feet in the building and converted it
to aerospace manufacturing space.
"Four times in recent years, when
large aerospace companies searched
worldwide for key suppliers to support their growth, they selected Acutec
from among thousands of candidates,"
the company says. "This happened because Acutec had placed itself in a position to get lucky."
The company also has invested more
than $40 million in new equipment and
technology over the past five years.
"Acutec has built IT, quality, manufacturing and assembly systems second to
none," it says. "Today, Acutec's CEO,
Elisabeth Smith, is preparing for more
luck by taking Acutec from a sound machining base into complex subassembly supply."
Northeast
Quality Components
Acutec's offerings include products for
engines and power generation. "Hot
zone components have a challenge of
tight tolerances in difficult to machine
high-nickel alloys," the company says.
"Acutec takes them on with world-class
expertise, machining Inconel, Hastalloy, Haynes, castings and bar form.
"In-house EDM and grinding allows
us to take on complex geometries and
strictly held surface and dimension
tolerances with our tube-bending,
welding and brazing capabilities, [and]
we can take on higher-level subassemblies," Acutec says. "Whether for
land-based gas turbines, engines or the
latest aircraft engine systems, our fuel
swirlers, nozzles, housings, shrouds,
[and] supports backed by statistically
capable proven processes put [the customer's] mind at ease."
The company also provides parts for
hydraulics, avionics and actuation systems. "Our five-axis cells specialize in
manifold machining, using our lightsout plus system to be able to machine
the most complex components in the
world in any aerospace material at
both low cost and high value," it says.
"With in-house lee plug, helicoil and
valve installation, as well as spot face
and NADCAP alodine application, we
can supply [clients] with a ready-to install manifold," it says. "Our 3-D printed
fixturing, precision microscope deburr
lab and SPC-driven process capability
ensure 100 percent FOD-free quality."
Acutec also provides components
for landing gear and braking systems.
"Acutec's expertise in braking systems
and landing gear will allow [clients]
to completely outsource [their] manufacturing," it says. "We manage the
assembly and BOM of braking pistons,
torque tubes and manufacture a wide
variety of brake housings, sleeves, pistons, discs, covers and plates." mt
MAY/JUNE 2017 manufacturing-today.com
139